RSU 73’s Wall to retire in June

LIVERMORE FALLS — RSU 73 Superintendent Robert Wall announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2013-14 school year on June 30, following a closed board session Thursday night.

Wall, of Lewiston, began his superintendent’s duties at the Jay School Department 10 years ago, and continued on when the former Jay School Department and RSU 36 in Livermore Falls merged three years ago.

Prior to coming to the Jay-Livermore Falls area, Wall served as superintendent of the former Union 29 in Mechanic Falls.

He began his career in education 45 years ago as a teacher of fifth- and sixth-graders.

He said Friday afternoon that the board likely will hold a special workshop sometime next month to determine the procedure for the search and hiring of a replacement.

Also at Thursday’s board meeting, the board said goodbye to longtime superintendent’s administrative assistant, Beverly Stevens, who is retiring this month.

Stevens attended her final board meeting Thursday, along with Fiona Baker, who is succeeding her.

Other resignations include 21-year food service employee Bonnie Castonguay, Central Office administrative assistant Cyndi Phillips and longtime Spruce Mountain Middle School educational assistant Sara Griffin.

The board welcomed newly appointed Jay school member Kathryn McAninch, who replaces former representative Clint Brooks.

Spruce Mountain High School Principal T.J. Plourde updated the board on the school’s new motto, “Every Child, Every Day” and announced the students who have been named as the recipients of the newly established Phoenix Award.

That award, he said, is for a student who epitomizes what the Phoenix, the symbol for the school’s sports and other teams, means.

“This award is for a high school student who has shown the ability to ‘turn it around’ and ‘rise again,’” he said.

September’s recipient was Dalton Autry and October’s was Jasmine Flaherty. The November recipient will be announced on Dec. 20. Those who receive the Phoenix Award receive a certificate, a write-up from the teacher who nominated the student and movie tickets.

He also said that the Upward Bound program will begin next week, and that the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program will begin again in the school.

Students of the Month were Taylor Boynton for September and Ian Jewett for October.

Wall also told the board that he is looking for grant money for the purchase of one or two generators for installation at the high school, middle school or both.

“This would be for emergency use in case of a disaster,” he said.

Livermore Elementary School does have a generator that could be used by the community if necessary. Wall wants one or two in the Jay area to serve other district residents if some kind of disaster befalls the area.

: Longtime superintendent’s administrative assistant Beverly Stevens is hugged by RSU 73 board Chairwoman Denise Rodzen at Stevens’ last board meeting Thursday night. Stevens retires this month. She was presented with a gold decorative watch inscribed, “We will miss you.”